Hello!
I have been busy compiling your favourite workplace newsletter – a combination of things you need to know and things that will make you laugh out loud.
In this issue there’s a workplace trend, news snippets, a case and sage advice in the “Dear Jen” column.
And of course, I share my recommendations for your viewing pleasure.
I hope this newsletter brings you some wisdom and joy!
Cheers,
Jen
What trend am I seeing across the workplace world?
There’s an irony in the way we talk about jobs. We want more of them, yet we make life harder for the people who create them. I keep hearing from business owners who are wondering whether they’d be better off becoming employees themselves.
Take-Out Point: When the people making payroll start dreaming of being on it, policy-makers should be paying attention.
Buzzphrase of the Week: Conscious Unbossing
The growing reluctance to enter middle management, with employees preferring to develop their expertise rather than manage other people. Apparently, the next generation has discovered that being the boss isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Many business owners would agree.
Job of the Week: Foley Artist
Foley artists create sounds for films and television using everyday objects. Snapping celery can simulate breaking bones, while smashing a watermelon can recreate the sound of someone’s head exploding. Who knew?
Somewhere, someone is being paid to snap celery into a microphone and smash watermelons for a living. My careers adviser left a few things out.
205,816 pay rates. What could possibly go wrong?
If you’ve ever wondered why it’s so hard to comply with the award system, Robert Gottliebsen has suggested the answer. You have to:
- choose the right award (there are 122, and some overlap);
- identify the correct classification (there are around 1,900); and
- select the correct rate of pay (there’s an average of nearly 1,700 rates per award).
Take-Out Point: In a system with 205,816 separate rates of pay, it’s no wonder that large supermarkets, major universities and mum-and-dad businesses do the best they can but more than occasionally get it wrong.
See: Australia’s IR system has 205,816 pay rates (Note – paywall)
Grand Theft Auto 6: A game changer for sick leave?
The news that Grand Theft Auto 6 drops on 19 November meant absolutely nothing to me. Apparently, it’s a very big deal in the gaming world. So big, in fact, that research from previous major game releases suggests workplace absenteeism could almost double.
Take-Out Point: If a lot of people call in sick on 19 November, the culprit might be Grand Theft Auto rather than gastro.
See: Human Resources Director, Grand Theft Auto 6 could almost double worker absence, 8 October 2026.
CASE YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
Commuting fatigue gets its day in the Commission
A student adviser at Victoria University, aged over 55, requested permission to work from home two days a week to reduce the fatigue associated with commuting.
The university refused, citing the need for staff to be available on campus to respond to walk-in student enquiries. It did, however, offer her a trial of working from home one day a week, on Fridays.
The employee took the dispute to the Fair Work Commission, which accepted that her request was connected to her circumstances as a worker over 55. She didn’t need to establish a medical reason for the request.
The Commission also accepted that the university had reasonable business grounds for refusing two days at home. However, despite the university’s offer of one day, the dispute remained unresolved.
The Commission ordered the university to allow the employee to work from home on Wednesdays for at least six months. After that, the parties must consult and genuinely try to agree on her ongoing work-from-home day. The arrangement would remain in place until they agreed to change it.
Take-Out Point: Reasonable business grounds for refusing a flexible work request don’t necessarily end the matter. Where there is no reasonable prospect of resolving the dispute without an order, the Commission can order an alternative arrangement.
See: Michele Duffy v Victoria University [2026] FWC 3687 (6 October 2026)
20 October – International Chefs Day. A day to recognise the professionals who feed us. Reheating fish in the office microwave does not qualify.
22 October – International Caps Lock Day. An unofficial celebration of the key that turns an ordinary email into a workplace incident. PLEASE CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY.
24 October – United Nations Day. A day for international co-operation. Start small: negotiate a ceasefire over the office air conditioner settings.
31 October – Halloween. Halloween falls on a Saturday this year. Managers of Monday-to-Friday teams may breathe a little easier about office costumes.
1 November – Movember begins. The month of questionable moustaches for a good cause. A useful reason to support men’s health and start conversations that go beyond weekend sport.
Are Your Managers Carrying the Weight of HR Without the Support of HR?
Small to medium businesses without an in-house HR function need clear, cost-effective and practical advice to navigate people issues. These include:
✔ Hiring the right people
✔ Setting up simple, effective HR processes
✔ Managing performance issues early, clearly, and lawfully
✔ Understanding award coverage, pay rates, and entitlements
✔ Responding to complaints, conflict, and workplace tensions
✔ Reducing compliance risk without creating bureaucracy
✔ Distinguishing a “quick fix” from a legal landmine.
With 30 years’ experience as an HR specialist and owner of a construction firm, Sarah Ryding understands the pressures facing business owners and managers.
For a complimentary 15 minute call to explore how Sarah can support your business, contact:
HR Consultant Sarah Ryding: sarah@jenniferbicknell.com.au | 0418 246 547
Or Jennifer Bicknell: jen@jenniferbicknell.com.au | 0411 275 920
Dear Jen,
I started a business because I wanted to be my own boss.
Turns out I now have several bosses, none of whom actually work here. Most of them seem to have “Commissioner” in their job title.
I’ve started looking for a job. The idea of being paid every week, taking annual leave and not staring at the ceiling at 3 am is becoming rather appealing.
Am I allowed to resign from my own business?
Cheers,
Bossed Out
Dear Bossed Out,
Owning a business is a career choice, not a sentence.
Of course you can resign. Although I suspect you’ll have to accept your own resignation, conduct your own exit interview and organise your own farewell morning tea.
On the bright side, you’ll finally get to tell the boss exactly what you think of them.
Cheers,
Jen
Public service announcement: The Diplomat – (Netflix)
Season 4 of The Diplomat has dropped. Please respect my privacy at this extremely exciting time.
Reasonable Doubt – (Disney+)
Season 4 is back! Brilliant LA defence lawyer Jax Stewart returns to represent some seriously questionable characters while looking outrageously fabulous. There’s high fashion, high drama and plenty of people behaving badly. The legal ethics are questionable, the wardrobe is impeccable, and I’m hooked.
Paramount+ Shows
Good news for fellow crime drama addicts! FBI, the seemingly endless collection of NCIS series and Marshals are back with new seasons. More crimes, more investigations and plenty of people looking very serious while talking into earpieces.
Sealook – (Netflix)
Netflix has accidentally acquired a whole new audience: cats and dogs. Sealook is a kids cartoon about mischievous seals, featuring lots of blues and yellows, colours our four-legged friends can see particularly well. Apparently pets everywhere are glued to the screen. Despite my humiliating efforts, Fred and Floyd showed zero interest. Tough crowd.
Yacht Deals Monaco – (Disney+)
A collection of wannabe mega-yacht brokers attempt to sell floating palaces in Monaco. The dubbing is dreadful, the cast are spectacularly vacant, and even the magnificent yachts and glamorous setting can’t save it. Quite possibly the worst reality show I’ve ever watched. And believe me, the competition is fierce.
